Growing Carrot

Daucus carota : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    P P P P P          

(Best months for growing Carrot in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 46°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 2 - 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 12-18 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Onions, Leeks, Lettuce, Sage, Peas, Radishes, Tomatoes, Beans, Celery, Rosemary
  • Avoid growing close to: Parsnips, Beetroot, Dill, Brassicas, Fennel

Your comments and tips

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13 May 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Check which variety of carrot you planted. Some do have a purple skin and some are short. Check here https://www.grow-it-organically.com/carrot-varieties.html
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09 Apr 19, Rae Rakute (Australia - tropical climate)
Carrots are good to grow throughout Summer , Autumn , Spring.
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31 Jan 19, Stephen Meiklejohn (Australia - temperate climate)
My carrots have hard core and it is a different colour to the outer flesh
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01 Nov 18, Colin Low (Australia - temperate climate)
I have had trouble growing carrots and I think now because of the chicken & cow manure is too acid. I have limed the area where this year's crop will be tried & my question is "How long do I need to wait before planting the seed? cheers Colin
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01 Nov 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Your main problem was probably the addition of the manures. Carrots do not need or like a rich soil (N) - it produces too much leaf. Carrots prefer a loose loam kind of soil - as in not heavy clay. A loose soil that is crumbly. If adding compost/manures do it months before planting carrots or grow something else before planting the carrots. A couple of weeks should be sufficient with the lime - mix it in well and water it and turn it over once or twice. Plant carrots thinly - can use a small salt shaker with some sand mixed with the seeds.
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08 Jul 18, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks for this detailed information. Appreciated.
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13 Feb 18, Edna (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can I put the carrot seeds on the ground with a drip water?
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14 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Over watering them may rot them. Put a light hessian cloth or shade cloth over them until they germinate and establish themselves a bit.
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08 Jul 18, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Mike - glad I read this. I often wonder if I am overwatering carrots (and other things, including tomatoes-someone said you can't overwater tomatoes). This is my second attempt at carrots and yet another attempt at vegie growing. This time, I started off with seeds in trays and seed mix in the green house. (Next time I will sow less although seedlings might make a good surprise gift!) Amazing. And deeply moving to see seeds germinate. Now, some if thise things are planted out although as a result of my lack of gardening knowledge (re soil pH, feed -nitrogen,calcium etc and how much to water different plants and what to feed them or not feed them etc) I feel behind the eightball/it's pot luck. A wing and a prayer. A couple of carrots have become just visible but I am guessing that doesn't mean pick! I am about to plant out some baby carrots. Thanks. J.
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21 Oct 17, Gary (Australia - temperate climate)
What fertilise would you use when growing carrots
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Showing 41 - 50 of 274 comments
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Hi Brenda, without checking with mixture it’s very hard to diagnose the problem. However I can offer a few maybe’s in the absence of physically looking at everything. Firstly the problem definitely appears to be with the mixture or something you are doing rather than the plants themselves. They are all cool weather crops so temperature is not an issue. If the mixture was “young”, i.e. not fully composted then it could be a simple nutrient “tie up” of the 5 in 1 (presume that’s a fertiliser in this case) by the mixture which means that if you let it be for a while and turn it over a few times it will come good and be suitable for later use. Secondly if the mixture is not inherently well drained you could well be over watering (you said daily). Take a handful of the mixture an hour after watering and give it a good squeeze. If water drips out easily then you are over watering. However, if the mixture handful just falls apart easily when you open your hand then maybe you are not watering enough as you only say watering and not “good watering”. I hope this helps… John Bee, Master Gardener.

- John Bee

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